By Tessa White of WCVA at the 2014 European Structural Fund events in Llanelli, Llandudno and Cardiff.

1. The Engagement Gateway

2. What is the Engagement Gateway?
ESF and Welsh Government funding
Since 2009, over 800 individual projects
Almost 30,000 participants
Helping people with multiple barriers to employment to
start their journey
‘First step’ interventions, but with over 10% progressing
into work

3. How it works
Over 360 approved suppliers
Procurement, then competitive grants since 2011
Hundreds of different project activities
Tailored, local solutions using the experience and
expertise of organisations that know their clients best
Success measured by the progress of participants
Dedicated support with managing a European funded
project

4. Achievements to date
29,706 participants
4,880 gained qualifications at NQF level 2 or above, many
for the first time 5,757 gained modules, units or below
level 2 qualifications that started them on the road to more
23,131 gained ‘positive outcomes’ such as increased
confidence, team working skills, volunteering placements
7,218 progressed to further learning or training
opportunities
3,223 progressed into employment

5. What’s happening now?
A final extension to March 2015
Evaluation and conclusions from the Gateway
10 projects across the Convergence area
Archiving data and gathering ‘case studies’ of
organisations’ and participants’ experiences
Preparation for the 2014 – 2020 ESIF Programmes

6. Active Inclusion Wales
WCVA is working with WEFO to develop an ‘operation’
(new term for project) to work across West Wales and the
Valleys and East Wales.
The operation is being asked to take a focused approach
to support young people who are NEET, over 25s and
specific client groups.
The project will interact with other projects within WCVA
and across the wider portfolio of EU funded projects in
Wales by awarding tailored grants to regional and local
organisations that may not be able to access ESF funding.